The New York City Charter requires that every ten years, after each decennial census, an independent commission be appointed to redraw Councilmanic District lines to accurately reflect the City's demographics. Each of the 51 Councilmanic Districts across the City may increase or decrease in size, depending on the Census data, to accommodate changes in population per the Census.

The Mayor and Council leaders appoint the members of the Districting Commission to take on this task. The Commission works to redraw lines with the data, process, and criteria required by federal law, the 2010 US Census Bureau data, and the New York City Charter.

After the Commission is constituted, Commission Members and their staff will begin meeting to review all relevant laws, regulations, and the Census data. After public hearings and meetings, the Commission will develop a final plan to submit to the City Council and ultimately to the United States Department of Justice in advance of the 2013 elections.